Influence of cryopreservation on the microelectrophoretic motility (EPM) of human spermatozoa

Summary. The net surface charge of spermatozoa represents a characteristic of the plasmamembrane. It can be evaluated indirectly, by the measurement of the sperm electrophoretic motility (EPM). The EPM of washed human spermatozoa was determined in the microelectrophoresis to investigate three problems: (a) intra- and interindividual variation coefficients of EPM of cryopreserved spermatozoa, (b) effects of cryopreservation medium, temperature shock and cryoprotection on the EPM, (c) relationship between the EPM and the cryotolerance of the spermatozoa. The inter- and intraindividual variation coefficients of the sperm EPM of 24 cryopreserved semen samples of 6 fertile semen donors amounted to 7% and to 6%, respectively. The cryopreservation did not cause a significant change of sperm EPM in contrast to the temperature shock in liquid nitrogen. Temporary incubation of spermatozoa with egg yolk decreased their EPM. A significant correlation between EPM and the cryotolerance ascertained by the alteration of sperm motile efficiency could be found. After contact with egg yolk spermatozoa achieved a behaviour that corresponded to a better cryotolerance.